To all members:
The Himalayan Club was founded in February 1928, and we are planning to celebrate our 80 th Anniversary starting in New Delhi early next year.
We will not be sending out individual invitations, but all members, wherever they live, are cordially invited. We are greatly looking forward to seeing a great many of our overseas members with us on this occasion. We will help them find adequate, economical accommodation.
In order to plan our activities, we would appreciate hearing from those who plan to attend as soon as possible, and certainly by the dates indicated below.
HC80 will have three components.
**** ONE:
Friday/Saturday 14 th & 15 th March, 2008 in New Delhi
Friday, 14th March 2008 is a series of illustrated lectures and films:
· Beyond Everest: The Ongoing Climb, a documentary directed and produced by Michael Dillon. The film focuses on the legendary work of Sir Edmund Hillary since his first ascent of Everest in 1953. Shot in stunningly beautiful surroundings, it provides a sensitive portrayal of Sir Edmund's work for the Sherpas. The film has won several awards.
· Treks and Travel in the Himalaya, a talk by Bill Aitken, leading author, researcher and traveller in the Himalayan range and Honorary Member of the Himalayan Club. This presentation will share the speaker's experiences and insights into places and people of the Himalaya gained through several trips over the years.
· The Nanda Devi Affair, an illustrated talk by Harish Kapadia, who has been exploring the Himalaya for several decades. He has authored many books, and is the Honorary Editor of the Himalayan Journal. Based on the speaker's three visits to the Nanda Devi Sanctuary, this illustrated talk will focus on the history of exploration and climbs in the region. The talk includes details about the sanctuary's troubled history, current situation, and environmental challenges.
· My Everest Years, an illustrated talk by Sir Chris Bonington, the world's leading mountaineer, expedition leader, and author who has pioneered new and demanding routes on the high mountains. This talk is a summary of several visits to Everest by different routes and traces key moments in each of these climbs.
Date: Friday, 14th March 2008 Time: 5 p.m. to 8.30 p.m.
Venue: WWF India, 172-B, Lodi Estate, New Delhi 110 003
Saturday, 15th March 2008 includes talks and presentation of a film on the Himalayan Club:
· Address by Suman Dubey, President, The Himalayan Club
· Speech by Sir Chris Bonington
· Speech by Mr Mani Shankar Aiyar, Minister for Sports
· Address by Chief Guest, Mrs Sonia Gandhi
· Screening of film on the Himalayan Club.
Time: 6 p.m to 7.30 p.m.
Venue: The Auditorium, Teen Murti House, Teen Murti Marg, New Delhi 110011
Important: Entry for the function on 15th March is through a separate invitation that should be carried to the venue. Please send an e-mail at maninder.kohli@citi.com to me or call to give your address details to receive an invitation. One card allows entry to one person only.
**** TWO:
Sunday 16 th March to Thursday 20 th March, 2008
Talks and walks, based at the Nehru Institute of Mountaineering, Uttarkashi
A short walk to Dayara Bugyal, 3000 m, or a similar destination, is also proposed if there is sufficient interest, the arrangements for which will be made by a reputed agency. A coach will take participants to Uttarkashi on 16 th March and return to Delhi 20 th March. This program will be on a paid basis except for the stay at NIM. Participants will be expected to pay for coach travel and the trek. We would need confirmation of participation by 1 st January 2008 .
**** THREE:
Through the year, local sections of the Himalayan Club will hold their own events to mark HC80 in whichever way they think suitable, and all members are very welcome to participate. These programs will be drawn up later, at the initiative of the local sections, and we expect that they will be circulated when the time comes.
The Mumbai Section has already planned to hold celebrations at Mumbai on 17 th February 2008 . This will be a full day of presentations followed by a Club dinner in the evening. A walk in the Western Ghats for 2 days is also planned.
The local secretary, Mumbai, needs to finalise attendance by mid-January 2008.
